BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Three area mentoring organizations are joining forces for National Mentoring Month. Representatives on behalf of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Bay Education Foundation, and Bay District Schools’ Elevate Bay program will give out free coffee and donuts on January 22 from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. to all […] Read More

JACKSON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A traffic stop in the Sneads area led to illegal narcotic findings and two arrests. According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy observed a white Ford Mustang driving recklessly on River Road. After continued reckless driving, the deputy initiated a traffic stop. During the investigation, officials said they […] Read More

There When Seconds Matter: Ascension Sacred Heart Earns Stroke Certification Staff Reports January 5, 2026 12:12 pm Health, Walton County In Brief: Hospital earns national Primary Stroke Center certification Certification improves emergency response, treatment, and outcomes for stroke patients Designation expands access to life-saving care in Walton County MIRAMAR BEACH — When it comes to stroke care, every second matters. Now, patients along the Emerald Coast have greater access to life-saving treatment. Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast has been officially certified as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission, in collaboration with the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association, recognizing the hospital’s ability to meet the specialized and urgent needs of stroke patients. Primary Stroke Centers maintain dedicated infrastructure — including acute stroke teams, evidence-based care protocols, and patient support systems — designed to reduce complications, improve survival and recovery rates, and enhance long-term outcomes. “When someone has a stroke, time is of the essence to ensure the best possible outcomes,” said Trey Abshier, president and CEO of Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. “As the only hospital in Walton County, our team has taken important steps to provide access to life-saving care to everyone in our community and the surrounding region.” Stroke remains a leading health concern both locally and nationally. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone in the United States experiences a stroke every 40 seconds, and every 3 minutes and 14 seconds, someone dies from one. Stroke is also a major cause of... Read More

Fort Walton Beach Police Open Doors with Citizens’ Police Academy Staff Reports January 5, 2026 11:45 am Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa County, Public Safety In Brief: Who: Fort Walton Beach Police Department and Okaloosa County residents What: Eight-week Citizens’ Police Academy When: Thursdays from Feb. 5 through March 26, 2026, from 6–8 p.m. Where: Fort Walton Beach, Florida Why: To promote transparency, understanding, and community partnership in policing FORT WALTON BEACH — Residents of Okaloosa County will soon have a chance to step inside the world of law enforcement. The Fort Walton Beach Police Department is now accepting participants for its next Citizens’ Police Academy, an eight-week program designed to give community members an in-depth look at how local policing works — from patrol operations to crime scene investigations. The academy begins Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, and will meet weekly from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday through March 26, 2026. The program is built around transparency, education, and partnership, offering participants firsthand exposure to the training and responsibilities officers face each day. Topics include police training, DUI procedures, community policing, K-9 operations, traffic homicide investigations, and crime scene processing, among others. Participants are also encouraged to take part in a ride-along, allowing them to join an officer during a patrol shift to observe day-to-day operations in real time. The Citizens’ Police Academy is free and open to individuals who live or work in Okaloosa County. Participants must be at least 18 years old to enroll. Those interested in... Read More

Hope Renewed at Bud Day Park: A Community Space Reborn Staff Reports January 5, 2026 11:13 am Mary Esther, Okaloosa County In Brief: Who: Okaloosa County officials, residents, and Commissioner Trey Goodwin What: Ribbon-cutting for the newly renovated Brigadier General Bud Day Park When: January 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. Where: 185 Woodland Park Circle, Mary Esther, Florida Why: To revitalize an aging park and better serve the community while honoring Bud Day’s legacy MARY ESTHER — A neighborhood park with deep local and national roots is getting a fresh start. Okaloosa County leaders will celebrate the reopening of Brigadier General Bud Day Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 15, 2026, at 2 p.m., marking the completion of a full-scale renovation designed to serve residents of all ages. Located at 185 Woodland Park Circle in Mary Esther, the park has been completely revamped after years of wear and tear. New amenities include two pickleball courts, a large pavilion, restrooms, new sidewalks, a refreshed basketball court with new backboards, a playground, security cameras, and new fencing — transforming the space into a safer, more welcoming community hub. “This park suffered the effects of time and was in immense need of improvements,” said Okaloosa County Chairman and District 4 Commissioner Trey Goodwin. “We worked hard to come up with a plan that would serve the needs of all Okaloosa County residents, but also something that the park’s neighbors would be proud of. I believe we achieved that.” The park honors George... Read More

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Panama City leaders are turning to the community to help shape the future membership fees for the Martin Luther King Jr. Rec Center. A community meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 7th, at 6 pm at the Glenwood Community Center to discuss the proposed rates. The proposed membership rates: […] Read More

Hope Behind Bars: How Some in Okaloosa County are Igniting Change Tricia Elliott January 5, 2026 9:15 am Charities and Nonprofits, Crime, Okaloosa County In Brief: Who: James Ferguson, Dana Clah, Emerald Coast Life Center, Okaloosa County Jail inmates What: An intensive, trauma-informed recovery and reentry program When: Ongoing, with participants completing up to 1,700 hours of coursework Where: Okaloosa County Jail, with reentry support in the surrounding community Why: To break the cycle of trauma, addiction, and incarceration through healing and accountability       James Ferguson entered the Okaloosa County Jail facing a range of charges, from traffic violations to drug-related offenses. His life spiraled. Hospital visits, addiction, and jail stays seemed like the only future ahead of him. What Ferguson needed was more than incarceration — he needed help. Help to overcome addiction. Help to confront long-standing trauma. Help him get his life back on track. Inside the Okaloosa County Jail, a group of inmates is spending their mornings not watching television or passing the time, but studying, writing essays, and learning how to rebuild their lives. The effort is part of the Anchored program, operated by Emerald Coast Life Center (ECLC), a nonprofit founded by Dana Clah that focuses on helping underserved, justice-involved individuals — particularly those struggling with opioid addiction — prepare for reentry into society. “This isn’t about just doing time,” Clah said. “It’s about doing healthy time.” The Anchored program operates in its own jail dorm, which participants refer to as a “study dorm,”... Read More

It’s been a calm and cool day across the region! Partly sunny skies and comfortable conditions have persisted throughout Sunday. As Sunday night progresses, expect mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the mid to upper 40s. Overnight patchy fog will likely develop for both inland areas and along the coast. Fog will persist into the […] Read More